Stealing an Owner's Equity

It's NOT illegal.

Just wanted to say that at the top.

But, I think it should be given that when an agent buys an Owner's property at way under it's value, there should be some form of punishment for the agent when they do that.

Because, basically, even though its NOT illegal to buy a property way under market value, I think its unethical -- especially if you are a real estate professional.

Essentially, all this is, is you are stealing the Owner's equity.

Now, investors who buy and sell real estate  (also known as flippers) want to do this on every transaction.  They think it's their duty to steal the equity for their own profit.

Alpine Motel Apartments

Currently, I am dealing with an apartment building listing I have in Downtown Las Vegas.  I get at least one inquiry a day on it by Investors who can "take this property off my client's hands."

What these investors don't realize, is the owner is also an investor at the same time he is an operator.
So, he isn't in need of having the property taken off his hands.

And that's the rub.  Since housing is in short supply in this area of Downtown Las Vegas, this property -- even though it's in need of renovation -- is mostly full all of the time.
Yet, they keep trying.  They keep making offers to buy low and flip.

But, since I know it's my fiduciary responsibility to protect my client, I tell ALL of these investors that the only way they get this property at a steal is to buy all four of the properties in a portfolio my client owns.

Interested in netting about $1.1 Million a year?
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'I made him an offer he didn't refuse.'

Speaking of successful business persons, I ran into an old Client a while back who met me for coffee at a national chain sit down restaurant on the west side of Las Vegas.

After meeting, as we were leaving, he walked up to a (fairly new) White Rolls Royce Ghost parked just outside the restaurant.

I made a comment about him having completely moved to Las Vegas, otherwise, why else would he bring his Rolls with him.

He replied, 'No, that one was still in LA!'

He added, that another business man we both know had asked him for a short term loan.  My client asked the other business man what he had for collateral?
The other guy said he would put his title to a new Rolls Royce Ghost up.

So, they struck a deal. "I made him an offer he didn't refuse," the Client said.

My client took title to the $300K valued Rolls in exchange for a $200K loan.

I asked, So, the other guy never paid you back?

My client replied, 'Of, course not.  That's why I have a Rolls here in Las Vegas and my other one in LA."

Smart man.

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!

He's a 'Talker!'

Years ago, when I left Residential Real Estate to work solely in Commercial Real Estate (CRE), I met an Owner of an adult club who in his life time once owned about 40 adult nude/strip clubs across the country.

Now, by the time I met him, he only owned two adult clubs: one in Hollywood and the other here in Las Vegas.

Now, he wanted to keep his Hollywood one because that was an income producing property for him.
But, he was thinking of selling his Las Vegas club and was being very iffy about the sale.

Anyway, he had agreed to pay me if I procured him a buyer.

Well, being the ambitious CRE Broker I am, I set out to find the perfect buyer.

Along comes this one Buyer who had a great story.  This Buyer could rattle off his accomplishments. And he could tell you what he had owned, and where he was headed without hesitation.  He knew business inside and out.

This Buyer was interested in owning an adult club in Las Vegas; and, I knew the property he should acquire.

Well, this Buyer comes to town and the Club Owner agreed to meet us at his club (that was now closed) to go over any potential offer that might be discussed.

As we were listening to the Buyer rattle off his accomplishments and business acumen stories; he suddenly shifted gears.  Instead of Buying the Club, he wanted a management contract to operate the club for the Owner.

The Owner said, 'No.'  That's not what he wanted.

Needless to say, there was no deal struck that day.

After the Buyer and his cronies left, the Owner turned to me and asked me about the Buyer.
Since I didn't know much, I didn't realize that he was going to ask about managing the club.

The Owner said not to worry.  He has run into that type of Buyer many times over the years.
The Owner said the Buyer was a 'Talker."

At first I didn't understand what he was saying, then, it hit me.

The Owner explained that Talkers are all talk.  And, he said he pegged this guy early and knew the routine.  He told me to learn from this and be aware of them in the future.
He also advised me to not waste too much time with them because Talkers never buy.

To this day, this Buyer hasn't bought anything -- well, at least through me.

Through the ensuing years, I've run into several 'Talkers' and true to the Adult Club Owner's word, they have never bought.  Ever.

So, since then, when I run into "Talkers," I politely will listen to them (just as the Owner did); I will help them (a little bit); but, I don't put any faith in them at all.  Talkers have never, ever helped me earn any money.

Lesson learned.

Now, I could call them on the carpet and blast them for wasting my time, but, you see, I don't do that because there is that slim, less than 1% of 1/10th% that they just might buy in the future.

As you all should know, "It's Real Estate."

To Contact David Howes try: davidATdavidhowesDOTnet OR; 7 0 2 5 01 9 3 8 8 AND Please #Follow David on Twitter: @DavidAHowes Have a nice day!